The Alberta livestock industry will have greater access to American markets following the repeal of mandatory Country of Origin Labelling (COOL) requirements for beef and pork in the United States.“This is good news for Alberta's beef and pork producers. The province and the industry have been working hard to put an end to COOL. The long-overdue decision to repeal COOL enhances Alberta's trade with the U.S. and restores markets for Alberta's beef and pork products which helps maintain jobs in our crucial agricultural sector. It also brings the U.S. into compliance with WTO obligations.”Deron Bilous, Minister of Economic Development and Trade“Alberta’s agriculture products are the province’s second largest export sector, and the United States is our most important trading partner. With COOL eliminated, livestock producers, workers and businesses will no longer be saddled with unnecessary costs and have more opportunities to strengthen agriculture trade between our two countries.”Oneil Carlier, Minister of Agriculture and ForestryEnforced since 2008, COOL required that meat derived from animals born, reared or slaughtered outside the U.S. be labelled to indicate the country or countries involved.The measures were costing the Canadian livestock industry an estimated $1 billion annually as a result of extra tracking, segregation, and associated costs for hogs and cattle exported to the U.S.“COOL has cost producers billions of dollars and has been a major irritant in the relationship with our largest and best trading partner. The return to fair and mutually beneficial trade is good for producers on both sides of the border. Alberta Beef Producers thanks the Government of Canada and the Alberta government for their strong and sustained support for our industry in this fight against COOL.”Bob Lowe, Chair of Alberta Beef ProducersIn 2014, Alberta exported approximately $1.7 billion in live cattle and beef products to the United States and $189 million in live hogs and pork products.